Mannequin displaying a design
Fashion design is one of the most challenging professions in an industry notorious for its rather competitive and even cut-throat nature. The workload you must undertake to becoming a good, successful fashion designer can be quite daunting. To make it in the fashion industry requires not only a solid knowledge of fashion but also creative talent and tremendous perseverance. Whether you aspire to design your own label or to work in a major design house, with much hard work, dedication, and an optimistic outlook, you may very well see your designs strutting down those glamorous runways.
Instructions
1. Clip fashion inspirations. Sift through all your favorite fashion magazines and cut out images that you find inspirational and tack them onto your cork board. Keep the board in an area where it will be consistently visible. Continue to update or refresh your board whenever new inspirations or ideas arise. In addition, maintain a portfolio or folder with other magazine clippings and make a habit of taking this folder with you wherever you go, in case you find yourself inspired while outdoors or in public places.
2. Research fashion companies and brands. Understand what each company and/or brand specializes in terms of fashion category (footwear, accessories, junior wear, sportswear) and style. Get a general idea of the history behind these brands. Cut out designs of your favorite designer brands from magazines and add them into your "inspirational" portfolio.
3. Research and keep updated on fashion trends. Visit fashion news websites, such as womensweardaily.com or style.com, and keep informed on the latest fashion trends, collections, and markets. Review current designer collections for the upcoming season, and practice forecasting what the next season's trends will be.
4. Enroll in an art class and/or practice general sketching and drawing. Understand the basic concepts of drawing, and if possible, take classes where you can sketch real-life models to get a solid idea of the human body's true form; this will help when it comes time to understand the concepts of draping fabric for designs. Also study color theory ,how colors relate, and what colors to mix to get your desired hue.
5. Obtain a mannequin to drape and fit your designs. Once you have a good idea about drapery, begin putting your knowledge and designs to the test by purchasing your desired fabrics, and practice on pinning and draping them onto your mannequin, while observing how they fit the body. If you don't consider yourself a great sketcher, pin the clothing you've designed, sew them onto your mannequin or take measurements of your mannequin and use a sewing machine to create your garments. Then, dress your mannequin and take snapshots of each look with your digital camera, and import them into your computer.
6. Enroll in professional training courses or programs specializing in fashion design, merchandising, and marketing. Research trade schools or fashion schools that offer valuable professional training and fashion industry know-how. Find schools that teach you not only fashion design or master a sewing machine, but also merchandise and market your work, because these other skills are crucial towards becoming a successful fashion designer.
7. Seek a fashion design internship. If you're enrolled in a fashion design program, inquire with your school's internship or career services office, or an instructor about fashion design internships that are available nearby. In the fashion industry, internships are very important and often times required in order to attain your dream job. If your school has a study abroad program, you may even have the opportunity to intern for a design house in Paris or Milan.
8. Build your portfolio of designs and resume. Upon graduation, you should have built a solid portfolio of your best work. Along with your sketches and photographs of your designs, a great portfolio will also include sample garments. Ideally, your professional portfolio should be 14"x17."
9. Commit diligently to your first job. Attaining your first paying job is exciting, so consider this opportunity as another crucial learning process and way to gain industry contacts.
10. Continue to clip images, sketch, and design during off-work hours. Even though your job may provide you with a rewarding experience, you should never stop building inspiration and creating new ideas for your future designs.
11. Maintain your contacts and always network. The fashion industry is not just what you know, but also who you know. If you want to succeed as a good fashion designer, you have to create great designs and also to market yourself. You'll be surprised how small the fashion community is so if you work hard enough, gain contacts, people will catch on and show interest in your work.
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